The Ties That Bond by Christelle Mirin

empty chair beside him closer. “I want to talk to you about something. Something important.”
    Her stomach began to jitter. Where was this leading? She rose from her chair across from him and moved to the one he had moved beside him. Crossing her hands in her lap, she turned toward him.
    Jack leaned forward, placing one hand on the back of the chair above her shoulder. “I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to take it seriously. I’m not playing.”
    When she met his gaze, she could see the seriousness in his eyes. He was no longer smiling, nor boyish. Sitting in front of her was a man with a sincere intent. Her stomach quivered again. “All right. Ask.”
    “Do you trust me? I mean really trust me?”
    She nodded. “I do. To be honest, there’s something about you I relate to very deeply. As an example, I’ve never allowed anyone to tie me up during sex. You’re the only one.” She reached up and stroked his cheek with her hand. “Jack, I’m going to admit something to you. I know we’ve only known each other for basically a few hours, but in my heart”—she pulled her hand back and placed it on her chest above her heart—“I have such strong feelings for you, ones I’ve never allowed myself to experience before. Jack, I love you.” Heat flooded her face at her admission. She was scared and excited, both at the same time.
    He didn’t smile. He searched her face, his eyes traveling from her eyes to her mouth and back again. Suddenly, he caught her face in both his hands and kissed her deeply.
    She melted inside, her heart thudding fast and hard.
    When he pulled away, it was only a fraction of an inch. He rested his forehead against hers, their noses still touching. “That makes my question easier to ask.” He moved away then, pushing his chair back away from hers.
    When he knelt down in front of her, Rhonda thought her heart was going to stop completely.
    Jack took one of her hands in his, squeezing it. “Rhonda, I know this is probably the last thing you expected me to say but…” He lifted her hand and kissed it tenderly. Then he continued, “…Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
    Heat rushed through her whole body. She felt faint, giddy, and happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Have you thought this through? I mean, I, um, can’t fathom you asking me this so soon after we’ve just met.”
    She watched as he drew in a slow, steady breath.
    “Do you need time to think about it? I would understand if you did.” He raised a hopeful eyebrow.
    Do it. What are you waiting for? With a girlish sounding laugh, she shook her head. “No.”
    “No?” He looked stricken.
    “Oh my gosh,” she said, grabbing his hand that held hers. “No, I don’t need time. Yes, I will be your wife.”
    Before she knew what was happening, he swooped her up from the chair into his arms and crushed her against his chest. “Damn, Rhonda, you had me worried there for a moment. I love you. Do you know that?”
    Placing her hands against his chest, she pushed away. “I love you, too, Jack.” Looking into his eyes, she felt the solid connection between them, the bond she had experienced the first time he had bound her hands. “But we do have some things we’re going to have to work out.”
    Grinning down at her, he winked. “I think we can work out just about anything. We’re not young kids, expecting more from each other than we can give. Am I right?”
    She nodded, the smile on her lips threatening to span her whole face. “You’re right. Can we sit down and discuss it a little more?”
    “Of course.” He let her go, taking her hand as they moved back into their respective chairs. He turned hers toward him, making their knees touch. “Now, tell me what you would like to discuss. I’m all ears.”
    She swallowed, her throat dry. Reaching across the table, she retrieved her glass and finished off her orange juice. “First, the question of children…I told you I don’t see